Krishna janmashtmi celebration, importance and 1

Janmashtami, Hindu Festival celebrating the birth (janma) of the god Krishna on the eighth (ashtami) day of the dark fortnight (waning moon fortnight) of the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapada (August–September in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is a joyous time involving group dancing and singing songs (bhajans) as well as ritual practices of fasting and worship of Krishna.

Birth of Krishna

According to the story of Krishna’s birth as related in the 10th book of the Bhagvata Purana (c. 10th century), Krishna is born as an avatar of Vishnu in order to relieve the world of its burden of demonic asuras (anti-gods) living as kings on Earth. One such demon king named Kamsa in the Yadu clan rules the town of Mathura (in modern Uttar Pradesh state), and it is into this clan that Vishnu is instructed to take birth. When Kamsa’s sister Devaki marries Vasudeva, a prophetic voice from the sky (sanskrit: ākāśavānī) foretells that her eighth son will kill Kamsa. Kamsa decides to kill Devaki to prevent his death from coming to pass, but Vasudeva intervenes and promises to hand over to the king every child born to him and Devaki. Kamsa imprisons the couple and murders their first six children. The seventh child, Balarama, is miraculously transferred to the womb of Rohini, Vasudeva’s first wife; in the Bhagavata Purana Balarama is considered a partial avatar of Vishnu and identified as Shesha, the serpent king.

Vishnu’s birth as Krishna there are divine signs and Vasudeva and Devaki are afforded a vision of their child as the supreme Vishnu in his celestial form before he transforms himself into the appearance of a human baby. As Vishnu he instructs his human parents that Yogamaya, his divine female power or Shakti, has been born simultaneously to Yashoda across the Yamuna River in Gokula (ancient Vraja) and that they should orchestrate a switch of the two infants. The prison doors open by divine will and illusory power and Vasudeva carries the child across the river to Gokula where he will then be raised in safety by his foster-mother Yashoda. When Kamsa comes to see the foretold eighth child, Yogamaya transforms into a goddess, frightening and humbling him. Krishna, after many other divine exploits, eventually kills his uncle Kamsa.

Observance

The occasion of Janmashtami is observed especially in Mathura and nearby Vrindavan, the places where Krishna spent his childhood and early youth, as narrated in the Bhagavata Purana. On the day preceding the festival, devotees keep a vigil and fast until midnight, the traditional hour of his birth. Then a murti (sacred image) of baby Krishna is bathed in water and milk, dressed in new clothes, and worshipped. Temples and household shrines are decorated with leaves and flowers; sweets are first offered to the god and then distributed as prasada (the god’s leftovers, which carry his favor) to all the members of the household.

Festivities

Devotees of Krishna commemorate the events of his birth by preparing elaborate three-dimensional representations (called jhankis in Hindi) of Krishna’s childhood. These creations depict scenes from his life in Mathura and Gokula including the Yamuna River, animals and birds, and the prominent figures mentioned in stories from his childhood, such as Kamsa, Devaki, Vasudeva, Balarama, Yashoda, and his beloved Radha and the gopis (cowherd women).

Across India, and especially in Maharashtra and Goa states, a popular practice called dahi handi (“curd pot”) happens the day after Janmashtami and involves pots of curd hung from tall poles or wires above the streets. Participants, called govindas (Govinda is another name for Krishna), form human pyramids to reach and break the pots. This sport imitates Krishna’s mischievous childhood play with his fellow cowherd boys stealing the curds that their mothers hung in elevated pots to keep out of reach.

Why do we celebrate krishna janmashtami

The tale of Mahabharata has a lot to do with the life of Lord Krishna. During the Dharma Yuddha or righteous war between two Pandavas and Kauravas, Lord Krishna played the charioteer of Arjuna. He was counselling Arjuna on various segments of life like Dharma (righteous path), Karma (deeds), Theistic Devotion, Yogic ideals, salvation, knowledge, etc. because Arjuna was in emotional turmoil in killing his brothers and cousins. The verses mentioned in this book is often called a life guide or spiritual dictionary. Lord Krishna stated that whenever there will be prominence of evil deeds in this universe, he will reincarnate in various looks and attire to show the path of right and peace to people. The sole reason of celebrating this festival is bringing people together so that principles of unity strengthens.

Dahi Handi is another important aspect of this festival that is observed in the second day of Janmashtami. As a kid Lord Krishna was named “Makhanchor” or the one who steals butter. He used to steal butter from every household of Gokul. Dahi Handi is an event where the same butter stealing activity of Lord Krishna is narrated. An earthen pot or handi is filled with butter, clarified butter or ghee, dry fruits, and milk is suspended at a considerable height with help of ropes. All the local young guys gather to make a human pyramid and climb on each other to reach the handi and break it. This is an activity that teaches the team work principles.

On Janmashtami devotees often begin by fasting the day prior to the holiday. Observances after midnight (the traditional time of the god krishna’s birth) include bathing, dressing, and worshipping a murti (sacred image) of Krishna as a baby. Festivities continue with singing, dancing, sweets, and decorations of houses and temples. Some devotees construct three-dimensional tableaus depicting scenes from Krishna’s childhood.